Amusement and exercising device



May 14, 1929. w.'r='.- HUDSON AMUSEMENT AND EXERCISING'DEVICE FiledApril 19, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Av ram/r01? fi lzlrnrmdsow.

A 7 TOR EEK May 14,1929. I 'w. F. HUDSON 1,112,703

I AMUSEMENT AND EXERCISING DEVICE Filed April 19, .1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2A rraaeysx May 14, 1929. w. F HUDSON I 1,712,703

- USEMENT A-ND EXERCISING nay 1 Filed April 19,1923 :Sheets-Sfieet 5 IATTOJP/VEX May 14, 1929. w. F. HUDSON ,7

AMUSEMENT AND EXERCISING DEVICE- Filed Apri1.l9, 1923 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 48 u I v y 9%.. J 4 ran/vex Patented May 14, 1929.

aren't OFFICE.

WILLIAM F. HUDSON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

AMUSEMENT AND EXERGISING DEVICE.

Application filed April 19, 1923. Serial No. 633,093.

This invention generally stated relates to amusement and exercisingdevices for children of tender age and has more especial relat-ion toapparatus 0'! this kind in which the supporting structure may beafforded a uni= versal, rocking movement and in which the supportedstructure may have imparted thereto rotary movement independently of themovement of the supporting structure. Specifically stated the device ofthe present invention is applicable for use for children of tender age,affording them a safe place in which they may be amused and at the sametime presenting the opportunity for exercise without attenrflantdangers; is applicable for use upon a large scale whereby a number ofchildren may be accommodated at one time; is applicable for use as toy;and is applicable for use as an advertising or demonstrating medium.

The leading objects of the present invention may be said to reside inthe provision of a device of the character stated in which are combinedefiiciency, cheapness, simplicity, lightness of structure, anddurability; in which interchangeable parts are provided for enhancingthe comfort and amusement of children; in which the safety of childrenare enhanced; in which miniature devices may be employed as toys and inwhich devices upon a large scale may be employed at seashore and otherresorts as places in which mothers may safely leave their smallchildren; and in which by slight change the de vice may be installed asan automatic demonstrating or advertising medium. A further objectresides in the provision of general details of construction and in thearrangement, combination and connection of parts for attaining theresults sought by the said leading objects.

The invention consists of the improvements hereinafter described andfinally claimed.

The nature, characteristic features and scope of the. invention will bemore fully understood from the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying rawings forming part hereof, and in. which Fig. 1,is a top or plan view of a device embodying features of the invention.

Fig. 2, is a view thereof in vertical section.

Fig. 3, is a perspective view of one form of seating medium, detached,and further illustrating adjuncts used in retaining a child in seatedposition and in shading the occupant from the rays of the sun.

Fig. 4, is a plan view of the retaining attachment shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5, is a view in elevation showing one of a number of alternativeseating mediums employed in connection with thedevice of the invention.

Fig. 6, is a top or plan View of a slightly, modified form o'l device inwhich the supporting structure, longitudinally considered, 11 an axis ofgreater length than is the axis thereof considered transversely.

Fig. 7, is an end view of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8, is a fragmentary view in plan of a further modified form oldevice calculated for use at sea-shore and like places wherein anumberof "the devices are contained within a supporting structure capable ofuniversal, rocking movement.

Fig. 9, is a view thereof in vertical section.

Fig. 10, is a view in vertical section of a further modified form ofdevice which is calculated for use as a toy, and

Fig. 11, is a similar view of a still further modified form of devicecalculated for use as a demonstrating or advertising medium.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention I have shown in theaccompanying drawings several forms thereof which are at presentpreferred by me, since the same have been found in practice to givesatisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood thatthe various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can bevariously arranged and organized and that my invention is not limited tothe precise arrangement and organization of the in strumentahtics asherein shown and described.

Referring to the drawings and with more particular reference to Figs. 1to 4 inclusive, the device of the invention, generally stated, iscomprised of a supporting structure and a supported structure each ofwhich are movable in unison and of which the latter forcement and toalso provide a smooth edge for the hands when the shell beingmoved'tromplace to place. The flange is also reinforced 111 an annularmanner as 13 to prevent buckling as might arise through the flangeimpinging against the floor duringrocking of shell 10. Interiorlyconsidered the shell is provided with a plurality of radially disposedribs 14 which function in two capacities, one of which is to pre "ldOshell reinforcement and the other of which will be hereinafter referredto. Located within ,andextended centrally thereof in a vertical manneris tubular member or socket 15 which may be spot eted to the shellbottom. For illus purposes it is shown being riveted drawings. Thesupported structure, may be a chair 1G, is arranged to be titted to thesocket 15 within the shell so asto have to the shell.

movement in unison with the shell and at the same tnne be free forindependent rotary movement or in other words the supported structure.has swiveled relation with respect Secured to the chair bottom is asection of tubing 17 or other cylindrical material for engaging withinsocket 15. It is desirable at times to vertically adjust chair 16 andfor this purpose socket 15 may'beprovided with 21 number of apertures 18and a cotter-pin 19 employed in. connectiontherewith upon whichcottcrpin the bottom, of part 17 rests. However any other desiredarrangement maybe cmployed for raising and lowering the sup 7 portedstructure. It is thus apparent that the chair 16 or other seating mediumemployed is supported by a structure located wholly within shell 10.Thus the seating medium is positioned much nearer the floor than wouldbe thecasc if the same were superimposed upon, that is above, the shelltop. Thus the device as a whole rendered less top-heavy, tends toeliminate undue rocking movement, and tends to relieve a childs mind offear be'ause it is seated close to the floor. In order to properlymaintain a baby in seated position use is made of a retaining strap asclearly shown in Figs. 3 ands. This retaining strap, whichis preferablymade of waterproofing material, is of substantially T-shapedconfiguration and is comprised of a longitudinal strip 18 secured towhich, as by stitching, is a eross-piece 19. The strip is adapted torest upon the seat 16 and to be straddled by the child occupying theseat, the crosspiece 19 being extended across th abdomen of the child.The rear end of strip 18 has secured thereto, as by stitching, twostrings 20, as tape, and each end of cross-piece 19 has secured theretoa pair of similar strings 21. These strings 2021 may be secured to theback and sides respectively of seat 16, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, orall the strings may be secured to the back of the scat. So positioned achild straddling strip 18, is prevented from undue sliding forward andis maintained in u 'iright position against the hack of seat 16. In thisposition the childs feet are calculated to reach the inner wall of shell10 and contact with the ribs 1 1-. 'lhcsc ribs ailord means whereby thchild may find a foot-hold with which to push against the shell. Theseat may be arranged in eccentric relation if more foot room dcsi Thisresults in rotative nmvement ot the seat 16. The child thus early learnsto use its feet. A handrail is also provided whereby the child maexercise. its arms by grasping such hand ill order to cause rotativcmovement of seat 16. r his hand-rail which is designated 22 arrangedconcentrically with respect to shell 10 and is supported by a pluralityof arms 23 fixed to and mounted upon the flange 11 of shell 10. Thedevice of the invention is designed for use (moot-doors as well asill-doors and when used out-of-doors it may be desirable to employ asun-shade 2 1-. The sun-shade may be employed as shown in Fig. 3, or itmay be supported from flanges 11 or hand rail 22. In order to supportthe sun-sluule a socket 2.7 is provided in the instance shown, upon theback of seat 16, which socket is provided with a set-screw 2G to securethe rod 27 of the sunshade 24 in place. The rod 27 may be of goose-neckconfiguration and is so shown. The device of the invention has beendesigned along economical lines so that it may be utilized for childrenof varied ages. For instance it in a house-hold there are children oftender and more advanced ages, those children of more advanced age mayuse the device by substituting for the seat 16, a seating elementsymbolic ol a bird, animal or the like as shown in Fig. 5. Forillustrative purpose a duck 28 is shown as being supported within shell10. The ducks bac is provided with a recessed portion 29 which serves asa saddle or seat. The duck is supported upon a section of tubing 17which is rotativelv fitted within socket 15 which part 15 am itscompanion parts as well as shell 10 are similar in all rcspects to thoseabove described. Thus a child may secure a rocking and rotative Ill)amusement and exercise.

movement as is readily. apparent. A number of different animalsmay bepurchased for use in conjunction with the device and when not in use inconnection therewith may further afford amusement to children throughthe medium of stabling quarters. Inorder to further accentuate theexercising and amusement features of the device the shell may be ofelliptical form, considered in plan, see Fig. 6. In said figure thetimesabove described form embodiments of the invention for use in thehouse-hold. I also have in mind making use of the features of thepresent invention at resorts, parlrs and other amusement places wheremothers may safely check their children and at the same time afford suchchildren One embodiment of such type of device is illustrated in Figs.

8 and 9. The numeral designates a shell of suitable material built upona liberal scalein order that a plurality of devices, such. for instanceas-shown in Figs. 1 and 2, may be operatively positioned therein. Theshell is provided with a flanged portion 31 which acts as a stop in casethe shell is freely mounted for rocking movement. The shell may ifdesired have imparted thereto a rotary, rocking or combined rotary androcking movement by suitable mechanism or it may be retained stationaryby means of suitable braces 32 as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 9.Within the shell may be arranged an annular track 83 upon which aremounted a plurality of the devices before described. These devices areafforded movement independently of any movement acquired by shell 30.This track 32-3 may be provided with an inner, annular rail or guard 34to prevent accidental displacement of the rockingdevices. Instead of atraclra frame with recessed or cut-away portions to receive the devicesmay be employed. I also have in mind making up th device of theinvention in toy. form. The shell 3d, flange 35, rail 86. and seat 37are of the general shape and design of the actual size device. The seat37 isrotatably supported by the socket 38 located directly within theshell 34 as described with regard If desired the shell tothe foregoingconstructions. Obviously instead of seat 37 an animal, bird or the tooccupy the seat thus affording a realistic toy when the parts functionin a manner symbolic of the actual device. While the shell may bereadily rocked by the hand it desirable to have the seat 37 functionautomatically. For this purpose use is made of a conventional toyspringmotor 38 capable of being wound by key 39. motor operates a shaft40 provided with a pinion 41 which pinion is in mesh with an annulartoothed rack 42 secured to the bottom of seat 37. Thus a rotary movementis imparted to the seat as is readily apparent from an inspection ofFig. 10. However the motor may be geared directly to part 17 of the seator otherwise connected. For advertising and demonstrating purposes I.have in mind a constructlon of device for location in store windows andlike places.

In this typeof device it is desirable to have the shell and seat both tofunction automatically. The numeral 43 designates a suitable support, asthe bottom of a store window upon which is mounted for universal rockingmovement a shell 44. While for this purpose a universal joint 45 may beinterposed between the shell andsupport 43, the shell bottom may beprovided with a depending pin working loosely in a hole in the supportIn order to cause the shell 44 to move aroundits universaljoint use ismade of cams lG mounted upon shafts which rotate in different directionsas indicated by the arrows in Fig. 11. Fitted to socket 47 which islocated wholly within shell His a seat 41-8. I or advertising purposes,such as window dis lay, it is desirable that the seat instead of eingafforded a complete cycle of revolution, be afforded an oscillatingmovement so that if a figure, as a doll, occupies seattS, the samealways faces the win dow. For illustrative purposes I have seat. Eachspring motor is provided with a tappct arm d8 adapted to alternatelyimpinge against a pin 49 fixed to seat spindle 50. 'The motors operatein different directions so that one tappet arm moves the seat ance withthe present invention other and further objects and advantages notpreviously referred to will be given at this time. Primarily the deviceof the invention is an exercising medium calculated to afford ex- This sbe stated thatthe seat 16 may be provided and is not forced upon a babyas in the case r of a coach, cradle, swing and the like operated by anattendant or'nurse. When a baby tires of exercising its feet and legs ortires of moving seatv with its hands, the babyattains complete rest byremaining inactive. As weight ofbody is sustained by seat the tendencyto become bow-legged is eliminated although .the feet and legs areafforded exercise. In the connection it may atits front with a hingedflap 16 or other suitable form of extension whereby the seat maybeshortened for very small children and lengthened for larger children sothat their feet may always be in contact with the bowl interior as thisis an essential feature of the exercising procedure. Not only may thelegs be exercised but the body, head, neck and arms may be developed andthe back supported. F urther the movements may be madenaturally, thebody not being seated in an awkward or abnormal position and a baby fromthe time it has sufficient strength with which to. hold up its headuntil, and subsequent to the time it can walk may attain in the saiddevice all the exercise it is usual to'obtain by rolling and crawlingaround the floor without the attendant dangers,.insanitary conditionsand other objectional features. The device also presents the "advantageof a mothers helper .in that va baby may be kept amused, kept clean, itsclothes saved from undue wear, wear and tear on furniture and the likereduced and if a babyis fed therein crumbs and the like fall into thebowl instead of upon the floor. All ofthese and other advantages toonumerous to mention are derived because of the structural arrangement,

of having a bowl-like rocking member in which is mounted for movement inunison therewith and movement independently thereof a seatso disposedthat the feet of the occupant may constantly contact with side walls ofsaid bowl-like member in order to naturally, with little or no effortderive beneficial, corrective and pleasing forms of exercise. a v s Itwill now be apparent that I have dea vised a novel and usefulconstruction which embodies the features, of advantage enumerated asdesirable in the statement of, the invention and the above descriptionand while I have in the present instance shown and described thepreferred embodiments thereof which have been found in practice to givesatisfactor and reliable results, it is to be understoo that the sameare susceptible of modification in various particulars without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the in vention or sacrificing any of itsadvantages.

What I claim is:

1. A device of the character stated comprising a bowl-like shell havingspherical inner and outer surfaces to permit of a universal free rockingmovement, a seat arranged within the shell for free rotar movement andrelatively short means wit iin and positively secured to the shellbottom for supporting said seat which seat is relatively small ascompared to the shell and is so disposed with respect to the shell thatthe feet of an occupant thereof are free to at all times engage theinner concaved wall of said shell to accomplish rocking of the shell androtation of the seat.

2. A construction as described in claim 1, characterized by the innerwall of said shell having spaced, radially arranged foot engagementmeans.

3. A construction as described in claim 1, characterized by a socketlocated within and positively fixed to the wall of said shell in whichsocket said seat is vertically adjustable.

4. A self-balancing device of the character stated comprising abowl-like structure having inner and outer spherical surfaces, capableof a universal, rocking movement, said structure having an annularflange to limit rocking movement, a socket located within and.positively secured to the bottom of said shell, a seat relativelysmaller than said bowl, and a socket-engaging member carried by the seatand arranged in said socket the bottom of said member lying in a planebelow the plane of said flange whereby said device as a whole can notupset.

A construction as described in claim 4, characterized by the inner wallof said bowl-like structure being provided with spaced, radiallydisposed ribs forming footgrips.

6. A device of the character stated comprising a r'cvolubly arrangedseat and a substantially bowl-shaped base relatively larger than saidseat and within which said seat is mounted, said base having a generallyspherical concavity the surface of which is spaced below and outwardlyfrom the chair front to provide both leg room and a substantiallyannular foot-way.

7. A device of the character stated comprising a revolubly arranged seatand a substantially bowl-shaped base relatively larger than said seatand within which said seat is mounted, said base having a generallysphcrical concavity the surface of which is spaced below and outwardlyfrom the scat-front to provide both leg room and a substantially annularfoot-way, said footway being provided with spaced, foot engagementmeans.

8. A device of the character stated comprising a revolubly arrangedseat, a substantially annular foot-way, and a socket stantiallybowl-shaped base relatively larger within and positively fixed to thebottom than said seat and within which said seat is wall of said basewithin which socket said 10 mounted, said base having a generally seatis vertically adjustable.

5 spherical concavity the surface of which is In. testimony whereof, Ihave hereunto spaced below and outwardly from the seatsigned my name.front ,to provide both leg room and a sub- WILLIAM F. HUDSON.

